NCJSC Newsletter

Read about the work of Osafune Nagayoshi and the Soden school which combined Bizen and Soshu Forging Techniques.

Read about Keith Austin's journey to becoming a licensed Japanese swordsmith. To this day, he is the only foreigner ever to have attained the rank.

Learn about the life and work of Bizen Osafune Motoshige, a prominent swordsmith from the late Kamakura to early Nambokucho periods. Influenced by the Soshu tradition, Motoshige produced swords known for their robust and varied styles, reflecting both Bizen and Soshu techniques. His career spanned over 50 years, during which he adapted to changing styles and demands, creating blades that combined the best elements of different schools.

Find out about Bizen Osafune Tadamitsu, a prominent swordsmith from the late 15th to early 16th century. Known for his finely worked mokume jitetsu and distinctive yakiba patterns, Tadamitsu maintained high standards of quality during a time of mass-production due to civil wars. His swords, primarily katana and wakizashi, were sturdy, graceful, and often custom-made for the Daimyo class. Despite the high demand for swords, Tadamitsu and his successors, like Katsumitsu and Kiyomitsu, upheld the Bizen tradition and produced blades with intricate horimono and superior craftsmanship.

Learn about the life and work of Goto Teijo (1603-1673), the ninth Shirobei master of the Goto family, renowned for their excellence in metalwork. Born Genichiro, later renamed Mitsumasa, Teijo became the head of the Goto family after his uncle's early death and served both the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Maeda family. His works, known for their intricate designs and high quality, often featured shakudo-nanako with gold and silver inlays. Teijo's contributions significantly influenced the Goto school's reputation for producing elegant and high-quality sword fittings, which were highly valued by the Samurai class.

Read about the work of Sonobe Yoshitsugu, a renowned craftsman from the early 19th century, known for his exceptional Mito-koromono. These pieces are celebrated as outstanding masterpieces and often feature intricate designs and high-quality craftsmanship. This article includes details about a specific Mito-koromono set, which comes with a kiri-wood storage box and a signed letter from Dr. Kanzan Sato, issued at the National Museum in Tokyo in 1951, attesting to its excellence.